West Texas FC signed Irish defender Ben Buckley for the 2026 season, the club announced Monday.
The addition of Buckley is intended to strengthen West Texas FC’s defensive lineup ahead of the upcoming season. The club highlighted Buckley’s collegiate experience and leadership as key factors in his recruitment.
Buckley, a native of Doneraile, Ireland, joins WTFC from Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania, where he is a junior studying sport and event management, according to a Facebook post. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Buckley has played for the Mercyhurst men’s soccer team since his freshman year in 2023. He started in 11 out of 12 matches in 2025. According to the program, Buckley shared a team high of three goals and earned a spot on the Northeast Conference All-Conference Second Team for the second consecutive season according to a Facebook post.
Head coach Scotty Murray praised Buckley’s signing as “an elite defensive signing” for WTFC…”Being a Division I captain, Ben’s already proven himself at the highest level of collegiate soccer,” Murray said. “He’s a strong, physical presence at the back and a guy I know I can count on to solidify the backline this summer” according to Murray.
Buckley’s arrival marks one of West Texas FC’s first major roster moves ahead of its next campaign.